Vayu Kutir

The view from the South river bank in end April 2019. Dehra town is on the North bank. Dehra bridge on river Beas is visible at the far end of the river. Beas river is about 3-400 m down-hill from Vayu Kutir along a road through the forest. Riverside walks along the river are a highly recommended activity for guests. Vayu Kutir as seen from the bank of Beas river The months of April and May, when river Beas is fed largely by melting snow, are perhaps the best for river walks for Vayu Kutir guests. The current is moderate, water levels low, and the river water blue and pristine. During rainy season, strong flow and catchment area floods  cause silt several meters in depth to be deposited along the river banks. By March end, eroded by wind, the layered silt recedes away from the river bank clearing an area for walking on sand & river stones. From June till September, first because of pre-monsoon storms and later due to monsoon rains in the catchment area, r...

Masroor rock-cut temple. The central shrine is referred to as Thakurdwara The Masroor rock-cut temple is a delightful 1-hr 15-min (35-km) drive from Vayu Kutir going first along the Mubarkpur - Dharamshala national highway (NH) towards Dharamshala and then turning westward at Ranital on to the NH going to Pathankot. The Pathankot highway drive is very scenic - it takes you through pine forests and vast stretches of farmland interspersed with small hills. According to legend, the temple dates back to the time of the Pandavas. It consists of a Sanctum Sanctorum, vestibule, assembly hall and an entrance porch. The central shrine, locally referred to as Thakurdwara, was carved as a cave in the rock. The exteriors along with the doorways were embellished with highly ornamental carvings. The temple is believed to be devoted to Lord Shiva. The sanctum enshrines idols of Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu, accompanied by his pious wife and virtuous brother Lakshmana. The temple is on...

Bassi wetland near Vayu Kutir February 2019. Photo by a guest We recommend that our long stay guests visit Bassi wetland on the banks of Pong reservoir about 17-km from Vayu Kutir. Bar-headed geese flying at Bassi. December 14, 2018 If you love tranquility and nature, you can spend hours lazing in the acres of flat land which slopes ever so gently into the blue waters of the Pong reservoir, watching horses and cattle graze on the grass stubble, grass land birds frolic and feed, water fowl noisily feed on fish and grass roots, King fishers, River terns, and Gulls dive into the lake and fly away with fish in their beaks, empty fishing boats tied along the bank bob with the gentle waves breaking on river rocks, and far away in deep waters, fishermen tending to their nets. Streak-throated swallows at Bassi wetland There are 3-4 Wooly-neck storks resident in the area. On a clear day, the majestic Dhauladhars serve as a fitting back drop. Bassi wetland near Vay...

A Grey heron touch-down at Pong dam reservoir near Dehra, Kangra November 25, 2016 Vayu Kutir is located at  the eastern edge of Pong Dam lake or reservoir, a man made water body 45 km long and 15–18 km wide that was created in 1975, by building the highest earthfill dam in India on Beas River. Indian spot-billed ducks near Vayu Kutir December 20, 2018  Pong reservoir formed along the migration path of migratory birds from the plains of India, Central Asian countries, and Siberia. Ruddy Shelduck pair at Pong reservoir near Vayu Kutir Officially named  Maharana Pratap Sagar, the reservoir was declared a Ramsar Wetland site on account of its rich waterfowl diversity for conservation and sustainable use of the wetland. Palla's Gull at Pong reservoir near Vayu Kutir The declaration was based on a proposal formulated by the Himachal State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, Shimla submitted to the Ramsar Bureau, Switzerland through ...

Vayu Kutir - Tejas Suite Tejas Suite Living Room Tejas Suite Open Kitchen & Dining Area Tejas Suite Bedroom Tejas Suite Walk-in Closet Tejas Suite Interior Walk Around Marut Suite Marut Suite Living Area Marut Suite Open Kitchen & Dining Area Marut Suite Bedroom Marut Suite Bedroom Marut Suite Bathroom Marut Suite Utility Room Marut Suite External & Interior Walkaround

Around 30 to 40 species of birds can be spotted within Vayu Kutir and while waling on the forest and river walk trails that start from Vayu Kutir. The species range from the ordinary to the exotic, from small song birds to Wooly neck storks, from the hunted to the hunters (raptors) An orange headed thrush, as song bird, at Vayu Kutir. At Vayu Kutir we have picture books  with details about each species of birds in Kangra to help birders identify local birds. You can even purchase a copy from us. An Egyptian vulture on the banks of river Beas near Vayu Kutir My Facebook collection of photos of birds around Vayu Kutir may be viewed here . A Scarlet minivet at Vayu Kutir Exclusive, long stay concessions for birders, over and above our routine long stay concessions are available for birders with an online presence. You can request a special offer over Airbnb if you feel you qualify. Common rosefinch near Vayu Kutir Best Time for Land Bird Photography Bir...

The Kangra Valley Heritage Train service runs between Pathankot and Baijnath. A limited number of trains go up to Joginder Nagar. Kopar Lahar railway station with its heritage ambience. The internal layout of the train coaches and the ambiance of the railway stations along the route take you back in time to the British era, as does the train fare - just Rs 15/- which was a princely amount during the era! We facilitate a ride on the train from Jawala Mukhi Road station to Baijnath Paprolla and back. Typically you board the train at Jawala Mukhi Road station which is around 17-km from Vayu Kutir, travel to Baijnath through Kangra valley along the foothills of the mighty Dhauladhar. The journey takes you through a tunnel, over quaint bridges spanning fast flowing mountain streams and breathtaking gorges, along river banks, through lush green paddy fields with colorful tin roofed houses and building. Having arrived at Baijnath, you get an hour or so to stro...

Vayu Kutir is located at Dehra Gopipur, in Kangra district off the Mubarkpur - Dharamshala highway. The cottage is on the south bank of river Beas close to the Dehra bridge which marks the start of the Pong reservoir. Coordinates You can locate Vayu Kutir on Google Maps using the following coordinates 31.871553, 76.219473 Dehra Gopipur The genesis of the name Dehra Gopipur is interesting  According to legend, after fleeing from Kalyavana (the Yavan or Greek) demon, Lord Krishha took shelter in some caves in the Gopipur foothills & killed the demon inside the caves. There is an ancient Pandav temple in Dehra that is believed to have been constructed at the time of Mahabharata.  The town started to referred to as Dera from mid 15th century onwards, when foreign invaders used it as a camp (dera) for expedition to frontier hill states.   The British sanctified the reference by officialy referring to the town as Dera. They made the adjoining...